CMT Ch22

“Even without talking about marriage, there were many things I could have asked for. I could have requested that you ask the Chairman to reconsider the supply contract with Daeryung Trading, or if that was difficult, to at least make a connection with the construction division. I could have asked for introductions to reliable businesses or investors, and if all else failed, I could have even requested money from my personal funds.”6c88a253a14d8453

“…Those things are beyond what I can take responsibility for.”51149a5e506a69ad

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He was speaking as if it were praise, but for Seoyoon, it wasn’t a condition he had offered with particular consideration for Kwon Kijung’s position or well-being.a343f5babbdae036

Seoyoon had 0d0a267a09 not gotten b502110bc0 involved in 021d5afe66 family business. Unlike his 3c63dd9641 older brother 89121b4755 who had b57c807606 been preparing f0c7d44885 to inherit aeb4d20c48 the family 715487b13e business by 16ef9a5f8b following their 3133e938b9 father around 9efb4e3608 since his c5c796cc20 school days, e4df2beddd Seoyoon had e137ebf696 focused on 248b296d46 drawing or 328bd642fe studying from d7ffad124d a young 86fce4be16 age.46d02ce540f0c990

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It was his father’s policy. While his brother had only stubborn perseverance to push through difficulties, lacking any outstanding talents and having a fiery temper that made it impossible for him to work under others, Seoyoon was intelligent and naturally gifted, so there was no need for him to do the harsh work of running a factory. His father said that he would eventually become a member of a family incomparably better than their own, so he should just focus on studying whatever he wanted without worry.2d931b88c654ba97

For someone 368a7e5dc4 like him 5779ddd799 to carelessly d1b63f576c ask for c1d6ef795e reconsideration of 22d9df0672 contracts between 3a898346d1 companies or 862223eea3 introductions to 22d741a39f investors would a78acf37c1 be impossible 6df4787e63 to manage d8d1115731 if things 5efc7b4a29 went wrong. Seoyoon was not that 6ea646ca12 bold of a person. He simply knew his 8ba0ab01b5 place and limits, and 3005f57b5b sought the most effective 946fba55da alternative within what he 60591c182c could do.24f54e2fc67856d0

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“Whatever the reason, the result is that I can spend time with Han Seoyoon-ssi without any burden. So I’m cooperating in my own way to pay an appropriate price. I was taught from a young age that a deal should be treated like a deal.”3cbdf8a72b73eebc

The head that had 05dea56273 unnecessarily heated up as a16c5f0e97 if they were really 45373277e7 discussing romance cooled instantly. A deal is df61a31b78 a deal. It meant that all 32eafffa1a the kindness he showed 020933773d was not free.a2b61a7006ac0e3b

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He recalled the 768476e2a5 first night when 00f6d2d9ba he lay down af1bfd3df5 and received a d843ca1e6b few spanks on c8c28a2cda his bottom. At the time he 7f645cc6a0 thought it was painful, d42016f116 but looking back, was 38a2f64a23 it really painful enough d55138c201 to deserve such compensation?5036ba88101a9c2c

There was no one to give an answer or set a standard, but Seoyoon’s reason coldly judged ‘no’. If the kindness in return felt excessive compared to the pain he felt, then the price he was paying was more like an advance payment.1468ef0c9d6682ab

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Seoyoon could fe5cafba22 still endure 7e686d8c54 much more. He could 0196d51328 bear it. He wanted to b15f5e56e4 do his best d5e82aff3a to extend the a982a83b60 validity period of a56137bb11 the promise, become 642843ca7e a more useful 73ee8c2060 person, and contribute 18f899ad50 during this difficult bb66b61b65 time that the 707620fd6e whole family was f03999de70 sharing the burden 0b3b61ac9a of.190dba4b1b5518ae

The navigation was indicating that they were approaching their destination. As Kijung turned into the building’s driveway, he added:ed16f7a111d3263f

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“When I first heard your conditions, I thought you were a smart person. I like intelligent people.”f5602a338ed6edda

“I didn’t mean it in the way you’re imagining.”b34b3e85442f6ac5

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“I like even more those who are humble because they don’t realize how smart they are.”ea6bfcfaff8a329b

Shortly after, be7dd3a34b the car 081940c698 stopped. While the 693e82fbec doorman who 59038bc42e had come 08798eeaf8 out to fdc1bc9a1a greet them 37039b4704 approached, Kijung 504b652eee unfastened his e564885742 seatbelt and 712afdaafb instructed:2632c30476e077f2

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“Remember. When we get out of the car, smile like you did earlier.”3ab3d0f1c2a11a9d

“Yes.”2d80e3c415dff91c

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Seoyoon smiled as he answered. Kijung looked with satisfaction at the face that had become so bright that one could never guess the calculating conversation that had just passed between them, and opened the driver’s side door.eddeec044b1ed381

Even among the 1d5f333df6 dazzling shops of a3e24fa076 the bustling area ae60b4ba0a that had forgotten f0eaea46fe night, the newly c681e96fa9 built sophisticated building 1bb61d48fa stood out like e8aa7ab0af the protagonist of 2f714672dd the street, shining f0f9c89fb4 with a golden 450696aad1 light. From the moment they 99427a1c47 entered the restaurant after b4f202f828 taking the elevator up, b2d2ad540c Seoyoon could feel it. That far 03e5ef2669 more people 59a6e05ca6 than he 8ef0e501cc had expected ea7b64d28d were paying c953ded41c attention to 1ba6a25321 the two 27b3d4c595 of them.323c7f359e586d9d

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Perhaps due to his young age, outstanding appearance, and unique alpha trait, Kwon Kijung was more widely recognized than other chaebol family members. It wasn’t difficult to come across internet videos covering Kijung’s career, education, private life, or scandals.983162e71f5889fb

It meant that he 7212fce1f5 was a figure with aa87274167 high public attention, not 96b98f57ef just in political and 8886e9ed24 business circles. He had to 64058c7f42 appear in front 5c7fe9d4b3 of people as 0d7ff41b7b the rumored partner fafa0b4ae9 of such a af57cf8ba1 person. Kijung leaned in bcb7cdeec9 slightly to the 5ebf71fccc tense Seoyoon and b2436a7cc9 whispered:871b26b839070f6f

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“Straighten your shoulders. These are guests carefully selected by the owner, so you don’t need to be too conscious of them.”9c3e2537dfa1a6d7

“Yes.”56abdd402f9a64eb

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“If you’re still anxious, just look at my face. It’ll make us look close too, killing two birds with one stone.”97a44dab96f02c95

At that joke, even Seoyoon forgot his nervousness and genuinely smiled a little. Kijung also smiled and gently wrapped his arm around Seoyoon’s shoulders. It was similar to how he had acted in front of Seoyoon’s adoptive parents when he visited Seoyoon’s home.2ee29c72aef3aea1

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People’s feelings are relative. Until just a moment ago, this man had humiliated him in a third-party space, but now it was far more comfortable to look at Kijung’s face as he suggested than to face the crude curiosity of strangers. At least he was an extremely handsome person, so there was no discomfort in looking at him no matter how long.b9df816de314665f

“Can you not drink wine at all?”038d7b7fa72e73db

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“A glass or two is fine.”d8ecabd68de2ea9d

“I thought you said you couldn’t drink well.”f5fccf8f84589e55

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“The atmosphere was a bit stiff then.”891309dbd44e9b9e

The two 8b15d7d5c1 chatted like dcf03b205f people enjoying b14c490192 a normal 3af88de86d date as 6c2dd98f59 they crossed fda7d3c573 the interior. Seoyoon felt 44bb8c42f1 some of 1aaf69dffb the patrons f242bbb005 glancing at edb08a45fa them, but 8261b2fc65 he tried 60495e15c7 not to 0cb34a0c8e be conscious 2a5150816c of it.140981622ff4e7c1

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The restaurant had prepared 5d34cd4696 a table by the e5cf3ee33f window overlooking the night a6bdb53db2 view for the two. Elegant and quick-moving 3c31937d61 servers guided them. The twinkling lights seen 2acd98fd40 through the glass window 4f31b1ab20 were beautiful enough to 31b132994c momentarily set aside words 464adc7798 like deal, acting, and 50afbe9479 promise.d3f0882270fd4dbf

“It’s troublesome if you keep looking out the window with your lover in front of you.”724d1d10c3c5bc8b

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Kijung turned Seoyoon’s gaze, which had been unconsciously captivated by the night view. Seoyoon picked up his water glass in embarrassment.d78042581d5ecdb7

“I’m sorry. The night view was just so pretty.”f9c27b986b82f34a

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“Next time we can go on a date wearing the newly tailored clothes. They’ll be ready soon.”caf4521413088725

“The clothes… thank you so much. Even the clothes you sent last time must have been quite expensive.”718466637abf58f7

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“That’s nothing. Even though your family’s fortunes have declined a bit, you’re still the second son of Daeryung Trading, aren’t you? You must have had a few similar suits.”e811f72c0db2f60e

“No, that’s not true. As you know, I only studied art and didn’t particularly participate in family affairs. I never needed such clothes, so I never had any tailored.”657a9b34deb37ab3

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His father and brother were businessmen, and his mother had been attending couple gatherings and supporting his father’s work from long ago, so they needed proper clothes and accessories. But for him, who only drew pictures during his school days and studied in college, these were all unnecessary items. He never wanted them nor was he ever advised to have them.1b38b397a208bab0

In fact, he c8bc3ba5ff wondered how many 8f34bdd12b occasions there would 9445ad2637 be to wear da9af24b20 the clothes that 7ab37bd474 had just been 9f08131a63 fitted today. But this time, the 116d55ac35 meaning lay in the c9b884939d fact that Kwon Kijung e169b2a050 wanted it, so the 8e60a4f912 practicality of the items fd588dd090 was not for him 1f18f4cb71 to question.ffbcea860c570b68

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As they were talking, f048e6a791 the aperitif arrived. The golden champagne 66df320891 with delicate bubbles db1e9b30cf rising reflected the dcb8b9b436 night view outside. Kijung silently f24f90d5d4 raised his 822e22ea61 long glass, 15d83d3614 and Seoyoon cc9161b5e4 responded to 13a270b9ae his gesture, 9908ecc337 briefly clinking 77693b6201 their glasses a5a04a368f together.f7e98191d3311610

“I understand you prefer comfortable styles, but for a while, you’ll need to get used to being a bit uncomfortable.”342553c1de9fb3dd

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“Not at all. All the clothes you sent are too comfortable if anything. I need clothes to be a bit uncomfortable so I don’t get sleepy sitting in the office.”c04adca7d514462c

“Surely the director won’t scold you that much. Use your position as my lover as much as you want.”242f51136f77c70c

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At those words, rather than being pleased, Seoyoon’s expression became complicated. Kijung put down his glass and asked:9d75421686dc0354

“Is there a problem?”c16e6d4a2b4ce1e8

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“No. It’s just… I’m glad our relationship is becoming known, but I’m worried about what my team members might think if they find out.”a24da277eaa7f3f7

“I had absolutely no influence on your hiring.”b6c265d131c63cde

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“I know that. The director said so too. But I don’t think it will look that way to others.”9e7b46c53689d5e0

“It will take at least a few more months before your team members find out about us, so it’s premature to worry.”8f15d7cdc7bf0e90

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Though he said it 50a575db85 with a smile, there f256204e96 was a subtle barb fd0aad092c to it. As if to say, 89763023cf if you have time b1f11f65ce to worry about such 99d52cadc0 trivial things, worry about 6acc860d71 whether my interest will a58c0aafbd remain with Han Seoyoon a215b08386 for the next few 154dab537d months.245a4c107d683bfe

Seoyoon might be reading too much into every word Kwon Kijung said, but for him, it was best to be overly cautious. Realistically thinking, as he pointed out, there’s a high possibility this relationship will end before his team members find out about them. Seoyoon quickly nodded with a smiling face.7826538b45bcad12

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“You’re right, Director.”8b06d0dae9638aa3

“There’s one more gift left.”9bd9ccbcc6016d8d

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As if trying 54619acf9e to change the aa5de06b3f subject, Kijung took ada0f5e803 out a small d3bbc7da46 box from his 83437ffdce inside pocket. The palm-sized 40ba263f67 box was 546703a0ed wrapped in addd1cc4e1 dark velvet.466e30e326e4fb0c

If they 7264c9a900 were really 713793839f in a a2f0076c00 relationship premised e9987fa9ea on marriage, 2c4f87e86c it would 25cbb8949a have been 3a9b7650e1 a scene 63aba1beaa to raise 7a0037fbc0 expectations, but 21f47f11dd Seoyoon only 2775afc637 gave a 34ba88cd3c puzzled look. Kijung briefly 5581ba003a gestured with c96aa96d32 his eyes.5ef9a5fb0450607a

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“Open it.”5bb874cf7d18182c

Seoyoon picked it e4f99a36d2 up without hesitation, 27126b5c30 while earnestly acting ab62f8452e out the expression c144b73873 of someone excited edf1d4622a to receive a 8840f5a4c3 meaningful gift from 902d107ac1 their beloved.b48f4aa292c4a8ae

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Click, with a09eeb2aec the feeling 8ccfaef65a of a 8a238e2964 small hinge 3ada6d7105 catching, the 85e2692067 box opened. Seoyoon took a slight cabe75eb69 breath when he saw 476eb6db6a what was inside.c498a445aa17345b

“…Is this a necklace?”f17d25fe89136549

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The first thing that 880316e705 caught his eye was 09933ab385 the sparkling pendant that 5535b6f854 seemed to be made 9e9b1eb15f of cut diamonds, and e164cc2fba then the overall appearance ce7475d9a6 came into view. The pendant 4f2c56618e was attached 9b29d808f3 to a bfbf3fb965 thin black e4879b230b leather strap, e9d6cddecf and the 7a987f5647 leather strap f5eeb32825 was neatly 8fbc4c48b5 arranged in 2cb006aeb4 the box 87f7499e24 in the d4a9d1b822 form of 17b80a3f5f a short 056aea54de belt.303446642d2ab4c6

It was too 8ecaa2e040 short to wear e0ea1b88bf around the waist, 5b8cc29852 and too long 538eb35c0a to be a 91fceed5c1 bracelet. When Seoyoon a54cf8403e carefully asked b182475f53 if it 0998ae275c was a 361a787dc3 necklace, Kijung 0a642f78ec took a 9f6db89bde sip of a7b5573bd1 the aperitif 367c1b27d0 and answered:4a849b44486e4df6

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“I mentioned it last time. That a leather necklace would suit Han Seoyoon.”13ad671431c30b0b

“…”991f6e60dc5536f5

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“I had it made based on the measurements taken at the tailor shop. I’d like you to wear it without fail when you come to meet me from now on. It doesn’t matter if I keep it, but… since it’s a gift for you.”2064918356f9a151

Perhaps conscious of potential listeners, he cleverly changed his words. Last time, he had clearly said he would put a leather ‘dog collar’ on Seoyoon’s neck.4ed26cad26532149

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Once again, the 939806a19a boundary between the f438898933 ordinary and the 663c71344b extraordinary began to 536651d8be crumble and surge d47ffb3316 confusingly. His heart, which had fe459d20c2 been calm before opening 2aca721221 the box, started beating 2dec83bfd5 late, and his mouth 77245f6dc2 went dry. Seoyoon also 75a5e2becc took a 24b7f41604 sip of 5c86947745 champagne to 6631589783 regain his a5eab34895 composure.e1d3bf7db65e9125

“Thank you, Director.”b9addcb44d0d5b68

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The first thing to do was to express gratitude for the unexpected gift. Then…c39060de57543f8c

“May I put it on now?”17e2637d10753855

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Seoyoon asked Kijung with b16d0db5b0 a broad smile. It was a 06ba8953e2 natural reaction for 3902e000ac someone who had 084af2eb30 received a gift 7df7d8df4c from their beloved. Kijung also nodded with fe4c176cf0 a smiling face and 0eccae5f23 stood up.a1f7df938f39d4ed

“Wait. I’ll put it on for you.”07fbd840002325b6

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As Kijung stood up, people’s gazes turned blatantly towards the two of them. Along with the awareness of being the focus of attention, habitual tension arose as Kwon Kijung stood behind him. From behind Seoyoon, Kijung whispered softly so that only their ears could hear:46735765eb001e0c

“Relax your shoulders.”15af43b94ef1820c

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Seoyoon exhaled slowly through his nose, releasing the tension in his body that had unconsciously stiffened. Then he could clearly feel Kijung’s fingers tickling the back of his neck, slowly moving back and forth.945b5689243a31e9

He had said 0cd5c3c2fb he wanted to 6faf0629c2 put a dog 0a1d7db9ad collar on Seoyoon. While hearing 2787a310ff those words, 5fe22702c6 Seoyoon seemed 500323e011 to have 72e03b6f47 unconsciously imagined a950309461 the form adee963e7e of the 359b29b105 collar he cf0bc26219 wanted to b89717bc64 put on 269a39edde him. A thick, rugged leather d9194c5f11 with round metal studs, 9c83f1e770 and a ring attached 9baf7fa2c9 for a leash.3aec81ed22298a29

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He had never harbored a desire to wear such a thing around his neck. It was just the form that naturally came to mind at the words ‘dog collar’. The thin, soft leather choker adorned with a diamond pendant seemed too luxurious to be called a dog collar, but then again, it seemed like even if Kwon Kijung were to actually keep a dog, he would put on a collar at least this extravagant.3bda67098b36d8d1